Caulking compound tube



Aug. 25,1953 0. J. BURCH CAULKING COMPOUND TUBE IIIIIIIIIII I] I! Filed Jan. 28, 1952 I IN V EN TOR. it); ,5 4, D W/aJBu/cb Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAULKING COMPOUND TUBE Donald J. Burch, Denver, 0010.

Application January 28, 1952, Serial No. 268,584

2 Claims. (Cl. 222-183) This invention relates to improvements in caulking compound tubes of the type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial Number 246,914, filed September "17, 1950.

It is quite common to caulk openings about door and window frames and other places. Many different devices are marketed for use in applying caulking compounds such'devices being usually designated by the term caulking guns and are quite costly.

Many home owners desire to caulk their houses but since they have no means for applying the compound they omit doing so.

Caulking compounds are usually sold in large collapsible tubes from which the material is extruded by rolling the tube end opposite from the discharge opening or neck. Such tubes are, however, not practical for applying the compound to the places where it is to be used, for reasons that will hereinafter appear.

It is the object of this invention to produce a caulking compound tube of such construction and design that it can be employed as a caulking gun and used to apply the compound to the desired place.

The above and any other objects that may become apparent as the description proceeds are obtained by means of a construction and arrangement of parts that will now be described in detail for which purpose reference will be had to the accompanying drawing in which the invention has been illustrated and in which:

Figure l is a longitudinal diametrical section through the outer reinforcing covering and through a portion of the metal tube or container other portions of the container or tube being broken away to facilitate the description.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary diametrical section similar to that shown in Figure 1 and shows the parts to an enlarged scale.

Figure 3A is a fragmentary section similar to Figure 3 and shows the manner of sealing.

Figure 4 shows a side elevation of an ordinary collapsible tube and Figure 5 is a view of the dispensing nozzle showing the protective cap in section.

Referring now to the drawing reference numeral ID designates the body of a collapsible metal tube: Such tubes may be made from tin, lead or aluminum in the manner of similar smaller tubes employed in dispensing shaving cream and similar material. Collapsible tubes of the usual construction are flattened at one end sealed by a straight seal strip and are usually provided with a key like that indicated by numeral II in Figure 4, the other end having a tubular threaded neck closed by means of a removable cap l2.

The tube that forms the subject of this invention is provided at one end with a threaded tubular neck [3 which terminates in a suitable caulking nozzle 13A can be attached. The tube is closed by a cap I2A. Since the caulking compound is used in quite large amounts the tubes are correspondingly large. In dispensing material from such large tubes the method shown in Figure 4 is not practical and the tube that forms the subject of this invention is therefore provided with a circular bottom or end closure Id of cup shape having a cylindrical flange l5. The end closure fits the tube with a sliding fit and serves as a piston or plunger by means of which the contents is extruded in a manner that will presently be described.

Since tubes for the purpose indicated are subjected to rather rough handling and to quite high internal pressure they are liable to become dented and also weakened to such an extent that they rupture when the material is extruded. Since the tube serves also as a caulking gun it must be held quite firmly during the time it is in use and the pressure to which it is subjected frequently deforms it.

To overcome the difficulties pointed out the tubes are provided with a protective tubular covering or sleeve it which is preferably made from paper. The covering tube has an inside diameter that permits it to be slid over the tube.

The tubes before they are filled with caulking compound are open at the loottom and the wall of the tubes extend a short distance beyond the cover tube as shown by the broken lines ll in Figure 3. The caulking compound is introduced through the open bottom end by means of a nozzle in the usual manner. After the proper quantity of compound has been introduced the end closure is is put into position and forced into contact with the compound. There is sufficient clearance between the inside of the tube and the flange 15 to permit air to pass when the closure is put into position. After the end closure has been positioned into engagement with the compound the projecting end ll of the tube is turned inwardly and bent reversely into a position shown in Figures 1, 3 and 3A. The now upwardly facing bight of the reversely bent portion ll serves as a stop for the edge of flange I5 and holds the end closure from downward movement.

The reverse bending of end I! is efiected by a spinning operation that causes the outer wall to bulge outwardly in the manner indicated at I8 where this bulge has been somewhat exaggerated. Bulge 18 serves as a stop for the tubular cover 56 and keeps it from sliding downwardly during handling. After the tubes have been filled and the end closed by member 14 and the tube end bent as shown the parts are covered by a sealing compound 19 of ,any suitable material preferably a plastic compound like that now extensively employed in sealing bottles containing medicines, wines and other liquids.

When the device is to be used for. caulking, cap [2A is removed uncovering the nozzle. The sealing compound is then removed to the, extent that it does not interfere with the inward movement of the end closure. The operator now holds the tube and moves the dispensing nozzle along the crack to be sealed and at the same time applies an inward pressureto the end closure by means of the handle of a carpenter's hammer or other plunger 20. The internal pressure created by the inward movement of the end closure expands tube at slightly and forces it against the inner 4 against internal pressures but it gives rigidity to the whole and makes it practical to employ the tube as a caulking gun. The bulge [8 serves as a stop for tube l6 and the end of tube 10 serves as an abutment for flange l5.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A caulking compound dispensing device comprising a cylindrical metal tube the material of which is comparatively thin and readily bendable, one end or the tube being jopen, the other end terminating in an integral tubular neck through which the material is extruded the open end of the tube having a cylindrical closure slid- .able therein, forming a, piston for use in disj'ierisi'r'rg the material through the neck, the open end of "the tube being inwardly and revcrsely bent whereby it .forms a stop limiting the outward movement "of the "end closure, and a comparativelyrrigid tube enclosing the metal tube to give it strength and rigidity permitting it to be employed as a caulking gun and which in addition protects the metal tube from 'inj'uryan'd rupture.

2, A caulking compound dispensing device in accordance with claim 1 in which the "end of the metal tube having the reversely'bent portion is formed with a circumferential 'rib adjacent the end or the rigid tube forming a stop for the latter.

DONALD J. BURCH.

Number 

